Rising Star Modern Liv Shares New Single ‘The Revenge Of An Ugly Teenager’

26-year-old East London artist Modern Liv puts her own distinct slant on the indie rock sad girl scene, bringing elements of jazz, soul and chanteuse elegance into the mix. It’s a style which made last year’s independently released debut EP Boy Band such an engaging listen. Now Modern Liv kicks off 2025 with a bang as she prepares for even bigger things, with the release of new single The Revenge Of An Ugly Teenager and prepares to play Strongroom in London on the 19th February.

Modern Liv

Modern Liv (Wilson Douglas)

Written by Modern Liv and co-produced with Fionn Connolly, The Revenge of An Ugly Teenager shows a bigger alternative-pop sound for Modern Liv, which is complemented by the authentic sound of the indie-rock scene that runs throughout all her music. Of the single she says: “The Revenge of An Ugly Teenager is a bop to get you hyped up before you make mistakes”.

Modern Liv – real name Olivia Miller – was born in Paris to a French mother and a Canadian father, and moved to England to attend university six years ago. Her early years took her through a variety of formative musical experiences, from childhood dance classes to singing with a jazz orchestra and a rock band. But writing her own music really shaped her musical identity, her talents further honed as a regular on London’s grassroots music scene. Her gig highlights so far include supporting Yoa at La Maroquinerie in Paris and playing showcase events at the O2 Academy Islington and Camden Assembly.

Whether she’s on stage or on record, Modern Liv has the power to charm, which leads us onto the next point: her artist name is a tribute to her favourite song lyrics, David Bowie’s ‘Modern Love’. The Thin White Duke is one of her biggest influences, alongside Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, but she’s also enamoured with the contemporary scene, as demonstrated by her covers of songs by Chappell Roan, Frank Ocean and Phoenix on socials. Last year, Modern Liv performed in London at The Old Blue Last as support to Pocket Jam. The Revenge of An Ugly Teenager is the first of more new music to follow this year.

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